Where is Real Hip-Hop?

Right here! Still being birthed in the Bronx like honey from the rock. There are few people amongst the masses, who can translate every nuance of life into sound. They interpret passion, angst,  struggle, victory, all tales worth telling, which from the beginning of time have been passed down through song by those with the unrelenting call to transform the human experience into living art. With music streaming through their veins they go about their days collecting inspiration from the world around them, storing them to throw into the air later as collages of sound. They answer the call for beats that sync with the spirit, that make close your eyes and nod your head in deep affirmation. 

When you have two hip-hop beasts together on a Friday night something interesting is bound to happen. Boricua musicians Roberto "Plena" Irizarry and Maria Isa, blended their talents and managed to lay down some tracks that puts half of what's being pushed by the industry to shame.

Me with Plena & Isa at Momma's Hip Hop Kitchen - click to learn more about this awesome estrogen led hip hop movement

A dynamic Nuyorican poet who is a blend of all things traditional Puerto Rico, quality hip-hop and rock, Plena offers a sounds all his own. SotaRican Maria Isa, who is also an accomplished stage actor, is 1 part gypsy beauty, 1 part activist, 2 parts lyrical genius. With fresh rhymes and very clear perspective she is a true blue emcee, able to spit knowledge while keeping you fully entertained. One of the tracks, "Isa Bronx Freestylin", recorded completely off the top of her head seems as effortless as breathing. 

With our energy up from the night before, we headed over to Momma's Hip Hop Kitchen, Kathleen Adams and Lah Tere's free annual hip hop event at Hostos Community College on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Maria's stage presence and message blew the crowd away. Lah Tere is yet another talented sister who's musical talent is surpassed only by her spiritual beauty. She closed out an amazing afternoon with gratitude and a barefoot call and answer piece that moved the crowd while reminding us of what we were there for; The empowerment of women of all ages to improve our own lives and that of our communities at large through the confidence that comes with owning our creativity and voices. And with all that said, I am now pleased to present the first song of Isa's upcoming EP, 

Ruff and Uncut: Plenazo De Isa

Free mp3 download: "Basilando"

Visit our YouTube channel, BombaPlena. Add it to your favorites, make it part of a playlist, share it! Enjoy!